Sponge: You GUYS! It's the FINAL CHAPTER OF THE THREEQUEL, can you believe it? Let's cut right to the chase! The title of the previous chapter, "A Thousand Years" is a song by Christina Perri and was featured in the film version of Twilight: Breaking Dawn. Congratulations to the reviewers Writer56 and IrishLassWithSass23 for the correct guesses. Anyway, on with the chapter! Warnings: language and kissing. Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Scooby Doo characters. They belong to Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, and Hanna Barbera.

Chapter 17: Pomp and Circumstance

One week later…

Scooby Doo sat in the bleachers with Shaggy's parents, staring down proudly into the football field below. More than a hundred chairs had been set up in front of a makeshift stage with a podium. The people in the chairs all wore blue graduation gowns and caps – "mortarboards," as Velma had called them. Principal O'Donovan was at the podium on the stage in the middle of a long and winded commencement address that was boring Scooby just a bit. He let his eyes wander through the crowd of students below and easily found each member of the gang. Shaggy had helped them all decorate their caps with the Mystery Machine's design, so they easily stood out.

Scooby gazed down at them, beaming with pride for all they'd accomplished. Each member of the gang had received recognition in their best subjects at senior awards night earlier this week, and they each had a medal or cord to indicate it. Shaggy had won a few art awards, and Daphne had received commendations from the drama department. Fred had gotten an award in physics, and Velma of course had gotten cords in several subjects. A few of their other friends had received honors as well, including Marcie Fleach who received the prestigious Cassidy Williams Biology Scholarship.

"And now," said Principal O'Donovan, beaming from his podium on the stage. "Introducing this year's valedictorian. This student has excelled not only in academics, but in endeavors outside the classroom as well. Her grade point average is the most impressive that Coolsville High has seen in decades. Everything she's done during her time as a student here has been exceptional, all the more so because she is the youngest graduate we've ever had. Everyone, your valedictorian: Velma Dinkley."

Applause scattered throughout the audience as a beaming Velma took the stage. She, like everyone else in her class, wore a blue cap and gown, and along with her chords, she also wore a stoll with the phrase "Valedictorian" adorning her graduation outfit. She glanced out at her classmates, finding that Fred, Daphne, and Shaggy were all grinning broadly back at her.

Velma took a deep breath and glanced down at her speech on the podium.

"A quote from Winston Churchill," she began. "'Fear is a reaction…courage is a decision.'"

She glanced back out at the graduates.

"If any of you have taken Spanish with Sra. Rodriguez, you'll know that she asks you to choose a Spanish name for yourself at the beginning of the year. For the past four years, I have been Valencia in her classroom, a name which means strength. I never thought it was particularly accurate to me. I'm small and scrawny, and while I'm bold in some endeavors, I'm weak in many others. It takes strength to be brave, but sometimes I let myself instead be crushed by my insecurities, and the uncertainty takes over.

"It's no secret that all of us here today have experienced scary or trying times in our tenure at Coolsville High. We've had future-defining moments that tested our bravery and our resolve. Perhaps they were academic…or perhaps they were personal. Even as we sit here right now, many of us are nervous about our futures. Whether or not we're college-bound, an era of our lives are coming to an end. Everything familiar is segueing into uncertain territory. The future is coming, whether we're ready for it or not. And that is frightening.

"But I've learned some tried-and-true methods of dealing with fear and uncertainty in these past few years. And in the interest of class unity, I'd like to share them with you. First: play to your strengths."

Here, Velma's eyes found Daphne's in the crowd, and saw that the redhead was holding back tears. Velma grinned softly at her and continued.

"Only you know what you're best at – communicating, deducing, reading other people. Whatever it is, your strengths will help you determine the best way make the decisions necessary to overcome your fear.

"The next thing I've learned, is to try to have a plan."

Fred's eyes crinkled in a smile as Velma turned her gaze on him.

"Even if it doesn't work, visualizing the outcomes of what you'd like to happen may help you feel more in control of your situation, and alleviate your uncertainty."

Velma found Shaggy in the seats, and she bit her lip. They shared a watery smile.

"Next," she said, her voice trembling a bit. "Don't be afraid to run." She continued to look at Shaggy as she went on. "It doesn't mean you have to give up. But getting away from the situation, even just for a little while, might help you keep a clear head so you can come back to it later, fresh, and ready to take it on."

Shaggy's heart swelled with love and pride for Velma. She'd been really nervous about her valedictory speech, but she was doing a great job. He watched as her eyes left his and searched the crowd in the stadium surrounding them. When Velma's smile widened, Shaggy knew that she'd found Scooby in the stands.

"And finally," she murmured. "Remember that you don't have to do it alone." She glanced back out at her fellow students. "We all have people in our corners – friends, family, teachers, colleagues. Pets." Here she shot another cursory glance up at Scooby Doo, and the members of Mystery Incorporated chuckled to themselves. "Whoever your people are," Velma went on. "You belong to each other. And having a bond like that can make you feel invincible. So count on them when you need to, because it's so much easier to decide to be brave when you have other people on your side."

She smiled back out into the graduates. "My time here at Coolsville High did a lot for me, as I'm sure it did for all of us. But the best thing it did for me was introduce me to the people who helped me decide on courage, and through them, I finally lived up to my Spanish name. I found my strength in them. The people we love make us who we are, and mine made me better and braver than I ever thought I could be." She and Shaggy shared another smile at the words he'd said at prom. Velma looked directly at him as she said, "I would not be the person I am today without these people. And for that I am eternally grateful."

She smiled widely out at the audience. "So let's meet our future head-on. Let's decide on courage. Let's choose to be brave. And when we can't, let's take solace in the fact that we are not alone."

As Velma left the podium, applause rang out. On her way back to her seat she caught sight of several of her classmates and friends – Tony cheering, Macie grinning, Fred clapping enthusiastically, Daphne wiping away tears, and Shaggy whistling through his fingers. She looked up into the stands and saw Scooby beaming at her proudly.

It was over. She'd done it. All that was left now was to walk across the stage and turn her tassel around.

Velma felt elated and empty all at once.

x.X.x

The Dinkleys weren't normally a family for throwing parties, but Velma felt that her high school graduation was a big enough event to merit a celebration. Not only were the gang and their families there that evening, but Dottie, Bill, and Lorelei had flown out from Seattle, as well as several aunts and uncles, plus many of her classmates. The graduation ceremony had been in the morning, but it took most of the afternoon for Velma and her family to get their small house ready for all their guests. Thankfully, everything was in place by the time they showed up.

It was a warm June evening, perfect for sitting outside. Velma shared a patio bench with Shaggy while Daphne and Fred sat beside them on another bench. Scooby happily walked around the backyard begging for food from anyone who would give into his charms (which was basically everyone). Fireflies flickered by as people talked and laughed all around the yard, anywhere they could grab a seat. Velma felt so content.

"You know, I was thinking I might hang my tassel on the rearview mirror of the Mystery Machine," Fred said, one arm around Daphne.

Tony grinned – he sat on a lawn chair nearby. "Do you know the official name for a graduation tassel?"

"It has an official name?" asked Marcie, who was also sitting with them. "One that's not just 'graduation tassel?'"

Tony's eyes widened. "Wait, hold up. There's something I know that you don't?"

Marcie shoved him good-naturedly. "Just tell us already."

Tony smiled wider, seemingly on the verge of laughter. "The technical term for it in the olden days…" he said grandly. "…was a 'liripoop.'"

Fred burst out laughing and Daphne stared at Tony, an incredulous grin overtaking her face. "You're making that up," she accused him.

"No I'm not," Tony promised, still grinning. "Joey told me." He grinned across the yard, where Joey, Julie, Felix, and Priya chatted and laughed together, unaware that the gang was talking about them.

Velma giggled and pulled out her phone to fact-check her friend. "Liripoop," she read aloud. "A pendent part of the old clerical tippet; afterwards, a tippet; a scarf; - worn also by doctors, learned men etc."

"Or women," Daphne scoffed.

"Actually," said Marcie, glancing over Velma's shoulder. "The thing this describes is not a graduation tassel – this would be more like a hood that you wear when you get a doctorate degree."

"And the dictionary says it's an obsolete term anyway," Velma pointed out.

Tony shook his head. "I shoulda known I couldn't outsmart you guys. That'll teach me for trusting anything my brother tells me." He shook his fist in mock frustration at Joey, who didn't notice. "You lied to me, you bastard!"

"There's like another definition," Shaggy chuckled, glancing at Velma's phone. "Apparently it can also mean 'a silly person.'"

Tony shook his fist at Joey again. "You lied to me, you liripoop!"

Everyone burst into laughter that lasted for several minutes.

"So," said Tony once they'd all calmed down. He jerked his head towards Dottie, who was bouncing Lorelei on her knee several feet away. "Did you tell her about…you know?"

Velma sighed and nodded. "Yeah. My parents told her. I was right – she barely remembered Leon. I had to show her his picture in her yearbook before she remembered who he was."

"I heard his bail hearing's coming up," Fred told them. "Sheriff Stone told my dad."

"He won't make bail, right?" Daphne suddenly looked worried. "They'll remand him, won't they?"

Velma shrugged. "It depends on how good his lawyer is."

Scooby returned just then and, upon realizing what they were discussing, made a face.

"Can we not talk about this?" asked Marcie, who noticed Scooby's grim expression. "It's a party – we're here to have a good time."

"You said it, Marce," Fred said. "We have a whole summer ahead of us!" He pulled Daphne to him with one arm and softly kissed the side of her head.

"Like yeah we do," Shaggy agreed, taking Velma's hand and sharing a smile with her. Scooby grinned as well and sat down at their feet.

At that moment, Mayor Jones suddenly clinked his glass and everyone stopped talking. He smiled proudly at the gang as everyone in the yard turned to face him.

"I would like to make a toast," he began. "At the senior awards night earlier this week, when all of you received scholarships, honors, and awards, there was one comendation that I felt was overlooked. Your academic and extracurricular achievements are all impressive and you should all feel very proud of everything you've accomplished. However, as the mayor of Coolsville, I'd like to take a minute to recognize how much you've accomplished for this town.

"Coolsville, Ohio has long been plagued by the stuff of legends – ghosts, monsters, vampires, zombies. And until about two years ago, it seemed that there wasn't much we could do about it. But then four of the bravest young people I've known, and their equally courageous dog decided to put a stop to it.

"Since the formation of Mystery Incorporated, Coolsville has become the safe place that I knew in my boyhood – the kind of town I feel proud to be mayor of. Though it's not always obvious, the sheriff's office and the citizens of this town greatly appreciate everything you've done to make Coolsville crime-free – sometimes at the expense of your own safety. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed."

His voice quavered with emotion at this last sentence, and he cleared his throat before he continued.

"So here's to our children, to their strong moral understanding of right and wrong that helps them do this necessary work. Here's to their friendships with each other, and their commitment to Coolsville. Here's to their thoughtfulness, their ingenuity, and their detective skills. Here's to Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and of course, Scooby Doo."

The mayor's eyes glistened as he gazed proudly at each member of the gang.

"Cheers to Mystery Incorporated."

Everyone in the yard took whatever beverage receptacles they had and held them aloft, and the gang embraced one another on their benches, smiling hugely.

x.X.x

A little while later, the conversations had started up again, and at the behest of Tony and Marcie, the gang were talking about a few of their favorite past cases.

"You know what I just remembered," said Fred. "The first mystery we ever solved was right in those woods." He gestured with his head to the forest behind Velma's house.

Velma grinned. "Yeah, I used to pass by that old oak tree all the time whenever I snuck over to Shaggy's house." What a relief to finally be able to talk freely about this. She glanced at him and they shared a conspiratorial grin.

"Like do you think the secret passage is still there?" asked Shaggy.

Daphne shook her head. "No, they filled it in after we discovered the counterfeiter's hideout, remember?"

"Roh, right," said Scooby.

"Could we see it anyway?" asked Tony, gesturing to himself and Marcie. "I'd love to see where Mystery Inc got its start."

"So would I," Marcie added.

"Sure, let's go for a walk," Fred said, rising.

"A ralk?!" Scooby exclaimed excitedly.

Everyone chuckled and began trekking through the woods.

As they walked, Velma suddenly groaned.

"What is it?" asked Shaggy, looking at her in alarm. Everyone stopped walking.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. "I just remembered something embarrassing."

"Rhat?" asked Scooby.

"After we caught the Wendigo two years ago, we were on our way back to my house and we were talking about continuing to solve mysteries, do you remember that?"

"Of course," said Daphne. "It was the best week of my life at the time, and I was so happy you all felt the same way."

"And then Shag asked if we should keep solving mysteries and I said it would be almost irresponsible not to," Fred added.

Velma groaned softly again. "And then remember what happened next? I said that we shouldn't let any stupid fights get in our way." She glanced up at everyone. "Ironic, huh? I made a speech about the importance of peace, and then two years later, I caused a fight so big that we broke up."

"But we got back together," Fred pointed out. "We all did." He took Daphne's hand squeezed it gently.

"Still, I'm never going to forgive myself," Velma sighed. "I almost ruined us forever."

Shaggy put an arm around her. "I like, honestly don't think there's a force huge enough for that."

"Reah," Scooby agreed, leaning his head against her leg.

Daphne nodded. "If I can forgive Leesa Beamer for sabotaging Next to Normal on purpose, I can certainly forgive you for accidentally taking out your anger on us." She squeezed her friend's shoulder. "You're not the only one who found strength in this group. I wouldn't be who I am today without you all either. Our friendship is so much stronger than anything life could throw at us. We're untouchable, Velm. All of us."

Tony furrowed his brow in confusion. "Wait," he said. "Leesa Beamer wasn't just playing a prank last year?"

Daphne blushed. "Whoops. I wasn't supposed to say anything about that."

Everyone laughed, and they began walking again. Soon they arrived at the clearing where the old oak tree stood.

"So this is where it all began, huh?" asked Tony, looking around the clearing.

"Yep," said Fred. "I rigged up my very first trap in these trees." He scowled slightly. "It didn't quite work, though."

Daphne chuckled and leaned against him affectionately. "We caught the monster, at least. Thanks to Scooby."

"Scooby always saves the day," said Velma, smiling at the dog. She remembered all too well the way he'd come to her rescue in the fine arts library at Darrow Hall and was likely to never forget that harrowing escape.

Shaggy patted Scooby fondly, and the dog wagged his tail.

"Coolsville U will be lucky to have you mystery kids," Tony grinned.

One by one, everyone's faces fell, and they all glanced at each other.

Tony looked at them all concernedly. "What? What'd I say?"

Velma gazed at him. "Tony," she murmured. "We were all fighting on Decision Day…"

"Yeah. So…?" Tony blinked uncomprehendingly.

"So…" Daphne sighed. "We all sent in our letters of intent to different schools."

Understanding dawned in Tony's eyes as this hit.

"Oh…" he muttered.

"Yeah," Shaggy said softly.

Scooby gave a slight whimper.

Tony cleared his throat. "So ah…where's everyone goin' next year?"

"I'm staying here," Fred replied. "Coolsville University was the only place I applied."

Daphne raised a hand. "NYU. Majoring in Drama at Tisch."

"I'm like going to Roosevelt," Shaggy spoke up. "Culinary school. In like, Chicago."

Velma sighed. "And I'm going to study physics or chemical engineering at Stanford."

The silence settled upon them all for several moments.

"…Wow," Tony said finally, his voice very quiet.

Velma nodded. "Yeah. We're all really…going our separate ways."

There was another short silence before Fred cleared his throat. "Actually gang, I had a plan about that. We have all summer, right? Before we have to go off. What if we did a road-trip, to see everyone's colleges?" He shrugged. "I mean obviously we've already seen Coolsville U, but I'd love to go to New York."

Daphne grinned at him and snuggled into his shoulder.

"I've never been to Chicago," Velma said, smiling at Shaggy.

"And like, Stanford's not far from Vista Heights, where I grew up," he replied. "It'd be cool to show you guys around my old neighborhood."

Fred looked around. "What do you say, gang? One more ride with Mystery Incorporated?"

"Sounds good to me, babe," said Daphne, kissing him.

"Like me too!" Shaggy grinned.

Velma nodded enthusiastically.

Scooby smiled, feeling relieved. He had been so nervous that the gang would never get over their fight. But that fear seemed so far away now, in the wake of these plans for their last golden summer together. And Scooby knew that even after they went their separate ways, they would always have each other. Like Shaggy had said, there wasn't a force on this earth that was big enough to truly tear them apart.

They were a great group, his best friends, his favorite people in the world. And Scooby knew he was the luckiest dog in the world to have them.

"Rooby Rooby Roo!" he barked.

Sponge: And with that, the threequel is FINISHED! Come back next week for my announcement about the finale. In the meantime, review if you please! I hope you enjoyed this installment as much as I enjoyed writing it!